1. Objectifs

Intentions :
This study aimed «to examine the concurrent effects of positive and negative partner behaviors on two key relationship outcomes: relationship satisfaction and the willingness to invest in the relationship. [Authors] investigated (1) whether one’s own perceived partner support and perceived partner psychological aggression are uniquely associated with both partners’ relationship outcomes—relationship satisfaction and the willingness to invest in the relationship—when both types of behaviors and outcomes are considered concomitantly; and (2) whether attachment anxiety moderates the links between perceived partner behaviors (support and psychological aggression) and relationship satisfaction and the willingness to invest in the relationship for the individual and their partner.» (p. 83)

Questions/Hypothèses :
Authors «expected positive associations between perceived partner support and both relationship satisfaction and the willingness to invest in the relationship, and negative associations between perceived partner psychological aggression and these relationship outcomes for both the individual (actor effect) and their partner (partner effect). [They] also expected that the positive association between one’s perceived partner support and one’s relationship satisfaction and willingness to invest would be weaker in individuals reporting higher attachment anxiety, whereas the negative association between perceived partner psychological aggression and these two relationship outcomes would be stronger in these individuals.» (p. 83)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
Authors «recruited 307 mixed-sex/gender couples in a private couple therapy center located in a North American city, where couples pay for service. On average, men were 43.68 years old […] and women were 41.48 years old […].Most participants (81.70% of men; 88.60% of women) had a postsecondary education, identified as White (94.98%), and reported French as their first language (91.20%).» (p. 83)

Instruments :
Questionnaire

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

The «findings suggest that in couples experiencing significant relationship distress, perceived partner support may be a key factor to explain individuals’ relationship satisfaction and their willingness to invest in the relationship, as well as their partner’s willingness to invest in the relationship. Interestingly, perceived partner psychological aggression was not related to participants’ own relationship satisfaction and willingness to invest in the relationship once we accounted for the contribution of partner support. Furthermore, attachment anxiety moderated the effect of perceived partner support on relationship satisfaction and the willingness to invest in the relationship, but the nature of this effect differed between men and women. […] Consistent with previous studies […] and supporting [their] hypothesis, [authors] found that men and women who perceived more adequate support from their partner reported higher relationship satisfaction (moderate effect size) and a greater willingness to invest in their relationship (small effect size), which is an important component of relationship commitment […]. The association that [authors] observed between perceived support and relationship satisfaction brings additional support for the key role that supportive behaviors plays in relationship well-being, even in a context of relationship difficulties and after controlling for psychological aggression and attachment insecurities.» (p. 90-91)